Religion and sex are are popularly perceived as mortal enemies. Biblical ethics teach a restricted view of sexuality: sex finds its proper place in marriage and nowhere else. Compared to the values of the Sexual Revolution, Christianity is perceived as anti-sex, backwards, and prudish. But Biblical ethics do not stem from a God who is capricious or haphazard. His moral laws are a reflection of how He made the world to operate to promote human flourishing. Sin is not merely something that offends the mind of God; sin offends our humanity and our human relationships. Ethics is grounded in creation. Often, … Continue reading →

For many people, pornography is in a whole different category than prostitution. Men who would never think of buying time with a prostitute will watch porn all the time. Clearly, they are different enterprises, right? I’m not so sure. Here’s why… We need to be clear what we mean by “pornography.” Are we talking about the end product (the pictures and movies created), or are we talking about the industry that makes that product? If we’re talking about the industry, then pornography is most certainly prostitution. People are getting paid to perform sexual acts. The only difference is there’s a camera in the … Continue reading →

Episode 143 Recent surveys indicate 63% of Millennial men (18-30 years old) view porn at least several times a week; 21% of women the same age say the same about their porn use. With so much porn being consumed so readily, pornography has become the norm. How do college students who want to remain pure take a stand? This week’s podcast features five college students who have been enslaved to porn, some from before their teenage years. They speak with us about their experiences and what has helped them the most to break free. Show Notes: 1:39 – Zach’s story: Porn … Continue reading →

When it comes to porn, don’t get distracted by the sex and miss what really drives the industry: money. Pornography isn’t a back-alley business of repressed artists looking to explore the pleasures of erotica. It is called the porn “industry” for a reason. The men and women at the top of this enterprise are capitalists who not only understand that sex sells, they are also brilliant marketers who know how to sell sex. Andrew Edmond, president and CEO of Flying Crocodile, a multi-million-dollar porn company, makes the point very clear: “A lot of people get distracted from the business model by … Continue reading →

In recent years, economics professor Todd D. Kendall and law professor Anthony D’Amato have made the argument: potential rapists perceive pornography as a substitute for rape. They believe the rise in access to Internet porn accounts for the decline in rape. States that have adopted the Internet more quickly have seen a greater and faster decline in rape than other states. But I’m skeptical of these conclusions… First, the supposed decline in rape rates could be due to a number of factors, like greater measures being put in place to protect women, or more education about rape. Second, the claim that rape is … Continue reading →